Visits to detainees at the Eastern Correctional and Rehabilitation Centre (ECRC) were suspended on Wednesday after a series of disturbances involving inmates who believed they were due to be released after having miscalculated the expiration of the ongoing state of emergency (SoE).Prison sources told the Express several detainees became agitated after realising they would not be released, and repeatedly disrupted operations throughout the day.The Express was told the disturbances began around 9 a.m. when visits commenced. Officials reportedly attempted on several occasions to continue scheduled visits, but each effort was interrupted by further unrest among detainees.Sources said there were at least two or three separate “flare-ups” before prison authorities decided to suspend all visits around 1 p.m. that day.The disruption to operations included inmates creating loud disturbances and hurling faeces.As tensions escalated throughout the facility, prison officials became concerned about the safety of visitors and staff, leading to the cancellation of all visits, including meetings between attorneys and their clients.In a statement on Wednesday, the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) said it was aware of the disturbances.“The Prison Officers’ Association is aware of the disturbances which occurred today at the Eastern Correctional and Rehabilitation Centre. Our understanding is that a number of detainees, believing they were due to be released today (Wednesday), became agitated and engaged in disruptive behaviour at various times throughout the day,” the POA said.It said management’s decision to suspend visits was necessary to maintain order and ensure safety within the institution.“In the interest of maintaining order and ensuring the safety of all concerned, prison management took the decision to suspend visits to the facility. We support this decision as the safety and security of both detainees and visitors must remain the primary consideration during any period of unrest within a correctional institution.”The association also commended prison officers for their handling of the situation.“We commend the officers on duty for their professionalism and restraint in managing a challenging situation and for their continued commitment to maintaining the security and stability of the institution,” the statement added.When contacted on Wednesday, acting Commissioner of Prisons Carlos Corraspe said he had received preliminary information regarding the reported disturbances but was still awaiting official reports.“At this point in time, I have been given some information about it, but nothing confirmed. I am still awaiting final reports across the ECRC and the other prisons,” Corraspe said.The unrest stemmed from a statement from the Office of the Attorney General on Wednesday which indicated that contrary to misinformation circulating on social media, the SoE ends at midnight on June 17, 2026, and not on June 3 as was being stated on social media platforms.